What is a progression set? A progression set provide samples taken during the manufacturing process of the medal, in this case here, the Official Hawaii Statehood medal.

Here are some recent images of a set in my collection. I tried to focus on a specific area of the medal to show the creation of details of the medal (high relief medals require multiple strikes). No image was taken of the blank planchet. The first three strikes are in brilliant bronze. Focus on the lei details…

On eBay last night, there was a 1991 Princess Victoria Kaiulani Heir Apparent 1891 1/20 oz gold coin (13mm ) listed for auction. This coin was struck in 1993. Only 625 specimens were stuck. The iconic design of Princess Victoria Kaiulani makes this a highly desirable coin.

This is a mule coin in that the reverse dies were most likely created in 1993 and the obverse die was from 1991.

The significance of this piece is that it is the first coin to depict a money unit greater than one dala in the RHM coin series. This is a 100 dalas gold coin. This is also the first instance where the upright dolphin was used as a design element.

Is it a counterfeit?

I examined the pictures of the coin and its looks like a worn obverse die was used or striking pressure was reduced.

The obvious catch is the incomplete RHM initials below the word Hawaii.

Then the incomplete C, E, S and S in the PRINCESS.

Then the C and O in VICTORIA are incomplete.

The A, R, E, N, T are also incomplete in the word APPARENT.

The 89 in the date 1891 is also incomplete.

The weak striking of the denticles on the obverse are also matches the areas near the incomplete letters.

The denticles on the top side of the obverse are not single and uniform (split in two)

The obverse portrait: Ear looks doubled, rust marks along cheek, and lost of detail in hair above date.

Here is a redline markings of my concerns (click to enlarge)…

Redlines are my concerns

The reverse 13 mm design is the upright dolphin (first time used on a RHM coin).